RESEARCH AT UNESCO-IHE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE (original) (raw)

This paper gives a brief overview of the development of research at UNESCO-IHE. The importance of research has increased significantly over the years, and the scope has widened in consideration of our institutional mandate and the resulting importance of building research capacity in the developing world as well as the increasing pace at which knowledge generation and transfer is occurring. The previous research activities are briefly summarized, and the current research agenda and implementation framework at the Institute are discussed including the five thematic trusts: water security, environmental integrity, urbanisation, water governance and information and communication technology. Large knowledge gaps exist in all water-related disciplines, complicated by the increasing need of coupling hydrological, ecological, climatic and socio-economic systems across various scales. Finding sustainable solutions in water management, particularly in developing countries, is becoming increasingly complex and difficult, consequently, fundamental and applied integrated research is essential to reach technically and politically acceptable solutions. The Institute is looking forward to addressing these challenges with its partners in the South as a way of ensuring that practical solutions are found and local research capacity is fostered.